Max Tuerk, seen at the Orange County All-Star Classic high school football game at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa on Friday, June 30, 2017, was suspended by the NFL for four games Tuesday for violating the league’s policy of performance-enhancing substances. (Photo by Bill Alkofer,Orange County Register/SCNG)

On Tuesday, former third-round pick Max Tuerk was suspended for four games without pay for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. The 23-year-old — who also starred at USC and Santa Margarita High — will be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 2, one day after a Week 4 game against the Eagles.

The Chargers follow that contest with back-to-back trips to New York and Oakland, which means Tuerk’s earliest possible regular-season debut at StubHub Center will be on Oct. 22 against the Broncos.

“This offseason, I made the mistake of taking over-the-counter supplements,” the lineman said in a statement released by the Chargers. “In doing so, I opened myself up to the possibility of consuming a tainted supplement — something that ultimately led to a positive test for a banned substance. I accept responsibility for my actions and understand the NFL’s policy is very clear on this matter.

“This is a very hard way to learn a lesson, and I will never make this mistake again.”

The Chargers released the following statement: “We respect and support the League’s decision on this matter. While disappointed, we appreciate that Max has accepted responsibility and are confident that he understands what is expected from him moving forward.”

The team attempted to revamp up front this offseason, drafting three offensive linemen and signing left tackle Russell Okung.

But second-round pick Forrest Lamp, who was competing to start at right guard, tore his ACL in the first week of training camp. Okung and starting right tackle Joe Barksdale have been dealing with minor ankle and foot injuries, and reserve tackle Tyreek Burwell broke his hand in Sunday’s preseason loss to the Saints. Lynn said Burwell could play in a game if necessary, but the 6-foot-6 lineman still has a large cast over his right hand.

Tuerk has yet to make his regular-season debut for the Chargers. A former all-conference center for the Trojans, he tore his knee ligament in October 2015 and sat out the rest of his senior season. The Chargers still selected Tuerk at No. 66 overall the following spring, but did not activate him for any of their 16 games.

This offseason, undrafted second-year pro Spencer Pulley has tightened his grasp on the starting center job — keeping Tuerk on the second-string line, rotating between guard and center with rookie Dan Feeney. Tuerk played 28 snaps at center on Sunday, but left the game with a finger injury. He returned to the field Tuesday, and is eligible participate through the rest of preseason.

Tuerk will begin the regular season on the reserve/suspended list alongside defensive tackle Tenny Palepoi, who has one game left on his four-game suspension for a PED violation last fall. Neither will count toward the Chargers’ active roster limit of 53.

PLUGGING THE GAPS

The Chargers defense was one of the bright spots in Sunday’s preseason loss to New Orleans, holding the visitors to 13 points.

The problem is how the Saints got the first six. On their opening offensive snap, rookie running back Alvin Kamara burst away for a 50-yard touchdown, taking advantage of a hole left by linebacker Nick Dzubnar. Preseason games don’t count, but through two outings, the Chargers are second-to-last in the league with an average of 145.0 rushing yards allowed.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley thinks fixing the problem involves improving alignment, and his defenders’ use of their hands.

“It seems like we’re taking control of our gap,” he said, “but we’re not using our hands to come back and play gap and a half — or play this gap, fall back, and play another gap.”

LATE ADDITION

The Chargers waived/injured defensive end Chris Landrum, who spent time on the practice squad last season before an October promotion to the active roster. Landrum had been sidelined for most of camp with a shoulder injury.

The team used the open roster spot on Whitney Richardson, an undrafted defensive end out of Lane College in Tennessee. Richardson recorded 17.5 sacks for the Dragons last fall, and was a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy, given each year to the top player in Division II football. Former Chargers running back Danny Woodhead won the award twice during his career at Nebraska’s Chadron State.

Jack Wang covers the Chargers, the latest NFL team to relocate to Los Angeles. He previously covered the Rams, and also spent four years on the UCLA beat, a strange period in which the Bruins' football program often outpaced their basketball team. He is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley, where he spent most of his time in The Daily Californian offices in Eshleman Hall — a building that did not become earthquake-safe until after his time on campus.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.